Just got back from trip to Oaxaca, Mexico

[priller]

A great, fun, short trip to Oaxaca. We packed so much into the 3 full days we had there that I feel like I've been gone for 2 weeks! If you want a good, safe, yet out-of-the-ordinary trip, I highly recommend Oaxaca.

As they say on this board: Ask me anything!

[matcom]

1. will be in Playa tonight!

:bounce:

[underpants]

2. Don't be a Playa hatter

I just thought of that. Man do I impress myself.

[matcom]

3. your wit is simply stunning

:7

[underpants]

4. You should see my wisdom

:wow:

[emulatorloo]

5. I would love to go there - where did you stay and what was it like?

EOM

[priller]

6. Stayed at Paradaor San Miguel

Just a couple of blocks from the zocalo, the main square in the heart of the old city. It's a charming, relaxing little square with huge old trees and ringed with cafes. But there are many good hotels in the area.

Weather was perfect: high 70's in the afternoon, 50 at night, sunny and very low humidity.

There are many archaeological sites very close to Oaxaca, these were my main interest. Went to Monte Alban (probably the oldest real city in America) and Mitla.

Also a lot of local handicrafts made in the area, including unique black pottery (from nearby Coyotepec) and strange little carved and wildly painted animals called "alebrijes" (from the village of Arrazola). And by "village" I mean it; reached after miles of bumpy dirt roads, village streets include burros and goats and cows along with the people. Fascinating experience!

Also a big mescal producing region. In fact, food is very good, specializing in various mole sauces.

[emulatorloo]

11. Thanks for the tip - EOM

[Patiod]

7. Did you buy any silver?

[priller]

8. Er, no, but I did get some "barro negro" and "alebrijes"

They make this strange black pottery (barro negro) in Oaxaca. I like it very much. First time I've actually experienced a "buying frenzy" was at a large shop in the town of San Bartolomo Coyotepec, where they make it. I ended up buying 6 pieces, but I would have bought 20 if I could have carried them all home.

The alebrijes are these strange, fanciful carved animal figures, painted in wild, almost psychedelic color schemes. Many of them are kind of standardized now, but some are very fine and creative and quite pricey. I got a wonderful blue dog with this comically crazed expression on his face.

[priller]

9. Also, not much English spoken there

I didn't know that going in. Had a crash course in just-enough-to-get-by Spanish.

[Ernesto]

10. Just got back from my New Year cruise

When we were not watching fat people pig out aboard the ship, we got to enjoy some pretty good sunshine.... Glad to be back home in this year's culleeforneeya rain forest.